An independent journal about the Gannett Co. and the news industry's digital transition

Wednesday, November 06, 2013

Broadcasting hires VP of business development

Corporate announced today that Joe Hurd has been named vice president of business development for the broadcasting division. Hurd comes from the 30,000-student web-based UniversityNow, where he was vice president of public policy and communications.

Hurd

Before UniversityNow, Hurd was senior director of trade policy and export promotion for the U.S. Department of Commerce in the Obama Administration. Hurd has also worked in senior business development and international sales/operations positions for AOL Time Warner, Friendster and VideoEgg, according to Corporate. In addition, he practiced corporate and securities law with the London-based Linklaters law firm. Hurd has been the managing partner of consulting firm Katama Group since 2003.

He has an impressive academic background, according to Corporate. Hurd has a bachelor of arts from Harvard, a masters in international affairs from Columbia, and a law degree, also from Harvard. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and board member of the American Swiss Foundation and Bullis Charter School.

I find it hard to get excited about another useless executive when this company lack so many troops in the field. How many laid off front line staff pay checks did this one take? Epic fail, Gannett, Epic fail

/non-snark here... Truly an amazing fellow with an amazing history and background. Hats off to him. Really. I think he is probably an awesome guy in person. Like to hang out with him. Vice President of Business Development for Broadcasting? I don't really know how any of this works. Kind of lost here. Really? Oh. Seriously, I just saw the earlier post. I bet you are right... this is just to seal the deal with the FCC. Yup. OK. Got it now. After you read the wiki article you would get it. Perfect hire. (you have to have a title after all)

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